December 5 marks the United Nations World Soil Day (WSD). This year’s theme, “Healthy soils for healthy cities,” highlights the critical role of soils in urban areas. Healthy urban soils filter water, store carbon, regulate temperatures, support biodiversity and even sustain food production. With two-thirds of the world’s population expected to live in cities by 2050, there is an urgent need for a one health approach across urban spaces to sustain and restore the health of our soils, the health of our cities, ecosystems and people.
Virtual Agronomist: Bringing Science-Based Soil Management to Urban Farmers
At iSDA, we believe that every farmer, whether in rural or peri-urban settings, deserves access to expert agronomic knowledge. Our Virtual Agronomist platform is uniquely positioned to support the growing movement of peri-urban agriculture, helping farmers produce high-value vegetables that provide fresh, nutritious food to urban populations.
Powered by Africa’s Most Detailed Soil Map
Virtual Agronomist leverages iSDAsoil, Africa’s first field-level soil map, which provides 20+ soil properties at 30-meter resolution across the entire continent. This unprecedented level of detail means that peri-urban farmers can receive tailored soil nutrient recommendations specific to their plots, even small urban gardens, without the need for expensive soil testing.
Tailored Advice via WhatsApp
Through simple WhatsApp interactions, Virtual Agronomist delivers:
- Field-specific nutrient plans based on actual soil conditions and crop requirements
- Agronomic advice combining soil data, local insights and farm history
- Cost-effective expertise at a fraction of the cost of traditional agricultural extension services
- No training required, making it accessible to farmers of all experience levels
The Urban Agriculture Opportunity
Peri-urban agriculture plays a vital role in feeding Africa’s rapidly growing cities. By optimising soil health in these transitional zones between urban and rural areas, we can:
- Increase production of high-value vegetables to meet urban demand for fresh, nutritious food
- Promote circular economy practices through the recycling of urban organic waste to improve farm soils
- Reduce food miles and associated carbon emissions by producing food closer to consumption points
- Create economic opportunities for peri-urban communities while improving food security
Proven Impact, Scalable Solutions
Since launching in February 2024, Virtual Agronomist has already provided agronomic advisories to over 250,000 farmers across 7 African countries, covering 24 crops. Farmers using the platform have demonstrated an average yield increase of 50% in the first season, proof that science-based soil management delivers tangible results.
As one farmer shared:
“Before Virtual Agronomist, I did not know anything about fertiliser. Through Virtual Agronomist, I found out what my soil was lacking, and I am already seeing a huge difference compared to last season!”
Building Resilient Urban Food Systems
On this World Soil Day, we recognise that healthy soils are the foundation of healthy cities. By making expert soil knowledge accessible through AI-powered platforms like Virtual Agronomist, we can support peri-urban farmers in building more productive, sustainable, and resilient urban food systems across Africa.
